1. Basic Philosophy

JSR Group has formed biodiversity policies based on issues identified through conservation activities conducted in the past. We are currently promoting various activities in accordance with these policies.

2. JSR Group Biodiversity Policies

To contribute to the establishment of a sustainable society, JSR Group strives to identify how our business activities depend on and impact biodiversity, and to promote efforts in consideration of biodiversity.

We work to make the green spaces of our business establishments biodiversity-friendly.

We strive to develop biodiversity-friendly products.

We emphasize staff engagement and cooperation with local communities.

Policy Formulation Process

Utilizing the JBIB*1 Business and Biodiversity Interrelationship Map, we have clarified how our business activities depend on and impact biodiversity. We have since established JSR Group Biodiversity Policies on the basis of this clarification.

3. Activity Progress Status

1. Investigation to clarify the naturally derived raw materials that may have an impact on biodiversity.

We discovered that there were no items among main raw materials, but there were some such items in some auxiliary raw materials. We conducted an investigation to determine the impact of these materials. We found no impact at this time. We will continue to conduct similar investigations when using raw materials that may have an impact.

2. Sustainable Paper Usage

While not a main raw material, paper is used for copies, publications, envelopes, and packaging material. As such, JSR Group is working toward sustainable paper use and has always participated in the Consortium for Sustainable Paper Use, which was established to increase the use of sustainable paper in society. We promote activities throughout the Group that prioritize the procurement of business-use paper made primarily from used paper, or paper with FSC or other forest sustainability certifications in accordance with the JSR Group Paper Procurement Guidelines, which were established in FY2013 to promote forest sustainability. We have switched to FSC-certified paper in our company envelopes and are making steady progress in replacing our copy paper with FSC-certified paper.

(2) Policy 2 - We work to make the green spaces of our business establishments biodiversity-friendly.

By FY2014, we were able to improve green spaces at our 3 domestic plants and the Tsukuba Research Laboratories based on the Green Space Improvement Plan that we created with the cooperation of experts as well as using the results of a green space survey conducted in accordance with the JBIB Guidelines for Sustainable Business Sites. Each office is continuing to conduct similar activities independently.

Yokkaichi Plant

Overview of Activities

Green space developed as based on the 5-year plan to improve conservation of biodiversity at plant sites (FY2013-FY2017)

Green space developed around company housing with an eye to protecting biodibersity

FY2016 Activities

Holding of nature tours for employees and their children using green spaces at the plant site.

Planting of 30 food plants for butterflies and additional installation of explanatory signs as improvements to green spaces at the plant site.

Future Activity Plans

Additional installation of explanatory signs along walkways in green spaces at the plant site to mark the final year of a five-year improvement program.

Upgrade of piles around undeveloped areas to allow comparison of the area before and after improvement.

Nature tour for employees and their children

Chiba Plant

Overview of Activities

Green space was developed with regard to biodiversity at the entrance of the "Ikoi no Hiroba" (Relaxation Garden) that is part of the green space at the plant site. This space serves to make local residents as well as employees and their families more aware of biodiversity.

FY2016 Activities

Harvested shiitake mushrooms grown using wood from forest thinning in the green space at the entrance to "Ikoi no Hiroba."

Future Activity Plans

Continued monitoring of the living things inhabiting the company's green spaces

Holding of events on the theme of "biodiversity" for employees' families

Green space at the plant site was used to build a pond that recreates the local ecosystem. This space serves to make local residents as well as employees and their families more aware of biodiversity.

FY2016 Activities

Continued development of the pond built in FY2014 (planting of waterside and other plants nearby)

Removal of nonnative plants

Additional planting of fruit trees (mandarin orange, persimmon, etc.)

Monitoring of green spaces at the plant site (summer and winter)

Future Activity Plans

Reexamination of JBIB Land Use Score Card usage

Removal of nonnative plants

Maintenance and management of improved green spaces at the plant site

Removing specific nonnative plants (Coreopsis lanceolata)

Tsukuba Research Laboratories

Overview of Activities

Establishment of a biodiversity promotion area and improvements based on the JBIB Land Use Score Card.

FY2016 Activities

Consideration of animal habitats and migration patterns
Maintenance of bird nests and a bird house to provide a natural habitat for wildlife
Maintenance of unpaved roads as a migration path for animals